CH453 Women Talk

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A couple of hours later, the women left the inn accompanied by the Fury soldiers, leaving behind Alex and his followers.

The women's goal—particularly Eleanor's—was to scout out the market and determine the prices of goods within the camp, and possibly across the greater Wildlands.

While Rolfe had promised to provide a report on the goods traded within Camp Red Rock, Eleanor felt it more prudent to do some legwork herself rather than rely entirely on another person's information.

"We're of little help here, big sis. My time would've been better spent watching over Master," Udara said quietly to Zora while Eleanor haggled with a merchant. "You were the one who said we shouldn't all leave him alone."

Watching Eleanor in action, one would scarcely believe she was the daughter of a noble house—never mind an Imperial princess of one of, if not the, strongest empires in a world or plane stronger than this one.

All Udara and Zora could do to help was observe and remain quiet. Somehow, they even found themselves feeling a little sorry for the merchants on the receiving end of Eleanor's negotiations.

"I dragged us all out because Alex needs space in his own head," Zora explained calmly. "He'd be conscious of our presence if any of us stayed behind, and that would interfere with his thought process."

"Is this because of the meeting with the orc chief—Azgrug?" Udara asked.

"Hmm." Zora nodded. "But not only that. More than just the Copper-skinned Orc chief and leader of this settlement, Azgrug represents the leadership hierarchy of the Wildlands itself."

"In that sense, he's a test—one that reflects what Alex will face when he begins rubbing shoulders with the higher-ups of these lands."

"For that, he needs to prepare. And how things go with Azgrug will likely have a major impact on how we're received in other settlements throughout the Wildlands."

The three women and their guards attracted no small amount of attention as they moved through the market.

Even while veiled, the women stirred greed and lust in certain unsavoury characters who watched them haggle and purchase goods.

It had been a long time since women with such peerless bearing had roamed the markets of Camp Red Rock—let alone women who so casually displayed wealth.

However, just as some of these individuals considered acting on their darker impulses, the Lion-head crest of the Fury family emblazoned on the guards' armour caused them to pause.

By now, the Lionhead crest had spread throughout Camp Red Rock as a symbol that inspired caution—fear and respect, maintained from a safe distance. It was the crest of the sorcerer who had hunted down Brieger, one of the camp's underbosses, and killed him in his own courtyard.

According to rumours, none of the women within the Lionhead sorcerer's party were ordinary either.

Just the mere presence of both a sorcerer and a priestess among them was enough to deter most unsavoury characters from taking action.

After Eleanor finished haggling with a meat merchant, she moved on to a rare garment stall. Udara, Zora, and the Fury knights followed as a matter of course.

Udara used the moment to ask quietly, "Why does it feel like Master has to walk on eggshells around this Azgrug? Is meeting him really that important?"

"Taking this camp would be far easier than taking the Upper Barnsil Fortress—especially now that we have the remaining powers on our side," Udara added thoughtfully.

"That's a very funny proposition, little sis." Eleanor laughed softly and pulled Udara into a brief hug. "Alex can't do that. And even if he could, he wouldn't."

She said this before stepping ahead to speak with the garment merchant.

Udara turned to Zora, confusion written all over her face.

"It's exactly as Eleanor said," Zora replied calmly. "Alex wouldn't want to take over this camp even if he had the means."

"True, the orcs have only an army of about five hundred—roughly the same as the Greater Barnsil Fortress. And yes, we might receive support from the camp's other powers. But you're overlooking something important."

She glanced around before continuing.

"Individually, the orcs here are stronger than the soldiers stationed at the Barnsil Fortress. And collectively, they've managed to maintain a semblance of order in the Wildlands for years."

"You simply can't compare the two forces."

"And as for the underbosses…" Zora smirked faintly. "Let's just say it's far too early to trust them."

Udara frowned. "Is something wrong with them?" she asked.

"Not exactly," Zora replied. "It's just that when an opportunity seems too good to be true, caution is warranted."

"Attacking an entrenched power with allies we don't fully control would be an unnecessary risk."

Udara considered this carefully before nodding.

"I think I understand," she said.

"You should," Zora replied. "These are the kinds of decisions you'll soon need to make—before such matters ever needs to reach Alex."

Udara nodded solemnly.

"I understand why Master wouldn't attack," she said slowly. "But why do you and sis say he wouldn't do so even if he could?"

"Look around," Zora said. "What do you think of this place?"

Udara scanned the surroundings. Her brows slowly furrowed.

"It can't compare to the villages back home," she said after a moment. "It can't even compare to Baron Helton's fiefdom."

"Exactly," Zora replied. "Even by Wildlands standards, this is a backwater—one with little to nothing of true value. There's nothing here worth risking our people's lives for. As well as nothing worth plunging the locals into chaos over."

She paused, then added quietly, "You see it too, don't you? Despite being a noble, Alex cares far too much about common folk. Abnormally so."

"He wouldn't do anything that would push them further down unless there was a far greater good—or value—to justify it."

"I see…" Udara nodded slowly, looking around once more. "There's nothing in Camp Red Rock that Master would truly want to possess. At least, nothing worth destroying what little order exists here."

"Exactly." Zora smiled. "Whatever he wants from this place can most likely be obtained through trade and diplomacy."

Realisation dawned on Udara as fragments of past teachings began clicking into place.

"Then the real issue," Udara said thoughtfully, "is how to conduct that trade and diplomacy in a way that brings us the greatest benefit at the least cost."

"Trade and diplomacy work differently in the Wildlands. Which means the first major leader Master negotiates with becomes extremely important."

She looked up at Zora. "Since that leader is Orc Tribe Chief Azgrug, the outcome of that meeting will set the benchmark—and the precedent—for all future dealings here."

"Is that right?"

A pleased smile bloomed on Zora's face.

"That's exactly right," she said.

She continued, "Not everything has to be resolved through battle. Alex is the type to exhaust non-violent options before resorting to force."

"That means when gathering information, your scouting team—and whatever intelligence organisation it eventually grows into—shouldn't focus solely on military possibilities."

"You also need to consider economic, political, and diplomatic paths."

Udara nodded solemnly.

This was something both Allen Holder and Alpha had tried to teach her before. But seeing it applied so clearly, in a real situation, made the lesson finally settle.

She committed it to heart.

"Thank you, big sis," Udara said sincerely.

"Don't mention it." Zora smiled, then teased lightly, "See? You don't have to stick to Alex alone. You can learn—and have fun—with us too."

Udara blushed faintly. "I'll… keep that in mind."

While the women were away shopping, Alex ran through a number of possible scenarios and how he would respond to them.

He didn't form anything too rigid. Instead, his plans were deliberately broad and flexible so they could adapt to most situations likely to arise during his meeting with Azgrug.

Once he was satisfied, Alex prompted OmniRune.

The gate to Sanctuary Space opened and he walked through.

Nothing had changed within.

The familiar, powerful connection to the world of runes returned to him instantly.

'Too bad it's limited to here,' he sighed inwardly.

He moved to the storage area and conducted a brief inventory of the Pangean specialities he had stored away. After some consideration, he set aside a few items—not overly powerful, but unique and valuable enough to pique Azgrug's interest.

He made a mental note of the selections, then exited the pocket dimension.

The women returned to the inn just as the sun dipped toward the horizon. Alex was already preparing to leave for his meeting.

"Be careful," Zora said.

"I always am," Alex replied with a faint smile.

Eleanor quickly handed him a small sheet of paper filled with her most important observations from the market tour. Alex skimmed through it swiftly, then returned it to her with a nod of approval.

Bringing only Mogal and Kavakan with him, Alex departed for his meeting with Camp Red Rock's ruler.

When he arrived at the gates of the mansion that served as Azgrug's castle within the Camp, the Shaman was already waiting. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the orc led Alex inside.

They entered the dining hall—a vast chamber dominated by a long dining table, with a single seat placed at either end.

Standing at the far end of the room was a bald, middle-aged orc.

His presence was oppressive.

Raw power and threat radiated from his muscular and burly frame, while his ferocious features—accentuated by large tusks and a jagged scar running down one side of his face—made him an imposing sight.

The Veteran-rank aura emanating from the man confirmed Alex's suspicions.

This was none other than Azgrug, Clan Chief of the Copper-skinned Orcs and the undisputed ruler of Camp Red Rock.

***

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